It is in the spirit of celebration that
we announce the passing, from natural causes, of (Mary)
Irene Throop, 99, of Sackville, NB at the Drew Nursing
Home, on Thursday, October 14, 2021, exactly ten days shy of her
100th birthday! Irene was born in
Sackville on October 24, 1921, daughter of the late
François (Frank) and Exhilda (LeBlanc)
Bourgeois.
Irene was a force to behold. Her energy
was endless. Her caring knew no bounds. She loved to talk and was
profoundly social. For many decades, Irene could be seen walking
through town, on her way to visit her sisters or friends or to go to
work. Sundays was often reserved for visiting “the old
people” at The Drew Nursing Home, even when she was one of those
people herself!
Irene and her husband adopted Jacqueline
late in life. She was 43; however, there was no generation gap. She
was the epitome of a loving, nurturing mother. Her love was truly
unconditional. She uplifted and supported each step of the way. She
was a great friend and a good neighbour.
Growing up during the Depression and
WWII, she knew hardship, but she was always grateful for her life,
especially the life she made with her husband. In Irene’s
own words, she married “a good man, a hard-working man,” who
remained loyal to her throughout their 69 years of marriage. Irene had
a wide circle of friends, including her daughter’s friends,
who considered her their “second mother.”
Irene’s fire, often seen in
her sharp, dark eyes, will be missed but fondly remembered. Her words
of wisdom will be held dear. Her work ethic will continue to shine as
an example. Even in her 80s and into her 90s, she found ways to work
and help. She loved cleaning, especially dusting, which she did until
she hit 99! She was proud of her career: working at Mount Allison in
housekeeping for 20 years; then, in homes, often of the elderly;
servicing rooms at Marshlands Inn and The Different Drummer; and,
later in life, babysitting.
Irene’s faith ran deep. Her
rosary was a best friend. She loved praying! She was a member of the
Middle Sackville Roman Catholic Church for years, eventually moving to
St. Vincent’s. In her early years, she enjoyed singing for
weddings and funerals with her dear friend, Mary, who harmonized to
Irene’s melody. In later years, she gave communion to the
sick, laundered the altar clothes, cleaned the church for special
occasions and served at parish events, with the Christmas Tea being
the highlight of the year, pouring the tea well into her late
80s.
Irene loved deeply and she was loved
deeply. Her legacy will live on.
In the words of Ed Sheeran, the Irish
songwriter, “Halleluiah. You were an angel in the shape of my
Mom. When I fell down, you’d be there holding me up. Spread
your wings as you go. When God takes you back, he’ll say
‘Halleluiah, you’re
home.’”
She will be deeply missed by her
daughter, Jacqueline (Evan) Throop-Robinson, and her husband, Ludger
(Dugas) Throop, as well as by her grandchildren, Taylor Dale Yue Mei
and Jamie Evan Si Fan, as well as her nieces Madeleine, Annette,
Robert (Marg), Carol (Peg) and their children, Diane, Kyle and
Kimberley. She will also be missed by many sisters- and
brothers-in-law and their children, as well as many dear friends and
extended family.
Irene was predeceased by her sisters,
Edna and Alice, with whom she was extremely close; her brother,
Laurie, whom she loved dearly, and her niece, Helen and great nephew,
Marc, both passing far too soon.
Arrangements are under the care and
guidance of Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge
Street, Sackville, NB. Honouring Irene’s wishes, there is to
be no visitation. A eulogy to share memories of Irene will
take place on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at St. Vincent’s Roman
Catholic Church, 63 Charlotte St, Sackville, NB at 9:45 am, followed
immediately by the Funeral Mass at 10 am. Interment will
follow in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Middle
Sackville.
All are welcome to attend.
Proof of vaccination is required.
For those who wish to make a donation in
Irene’s memory, please consider The Alzheimer’s
Society.
Sharing of memories and condolences may
be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at
www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or through the Jones Funeral Home Facebook
Page.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Irene Throop 1921 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sackville, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick